PBS Hawaii will be off the air indefinitely after fire Friday morning damaged its studios on the University of Hawaii campus in Manoa.
A light bulb burst in the television station’s main studio, causing a lighting gel to catch fire at about 11:15 a.m., said Fire Capt. Terry Seelig.
The fire spread to a wall and entered the building’s air-conditioning ducts, causing a lot of smoke, Seelig said.
The television station and the university’s Children’s Center next door were evacuated. Police closed Dole Street between Hoonanea Street and University Avenue. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control. No one was injured.
Power was cut to the building at about 12:30 p.m., knocking the television station off the air.
The fire flared up again in the afternoon, and firefighters returned to the TV station.
Robert Wong Murray, PBS Hawaii spokeswoman, said the station will be off the air indefinitely. She also said she did not know when the station will be able to resume video production.
Murray said technicians were preparing for a Monday taping of Leslie Wilcox’s "Long Story Short" program when the fire began.
"The flames shot right up to the ceiling," Murray said.
The Fire Department estimated damage to the studio at $250,000, but Murray said the final figure will be higher.
Workers were allowed back into the building’s administrative office at 1:20 p.m. to retrieve personal belongings.
Hawaii News Now video: Fire knocks PBS off the air
